Satanism

Many don't really understand it so I have self volunteered to type a brief intro of Satanism.

Satanism is another religion entirely, quite divorced from the pagan path. A number of people are drawn to satanism by the belief that it is one of the paths of witchcraft. It simply is not. However, there are plenty of Goth types who like the philosphies of this religion and become involved in it because it speaks to them personally, not just because it seems evil or antinormative. The belief in satan as the witches' God is rooted in the persecution by the christian church during a period of unmentionable horror and torture that modern pagans refer to as the burning times. It was during this time that the celtic pagans' image of Pan became synonymous with the image of the Devil to the Church.

Satanists do not worship satan as a being from the christian pantheon, but as a concept or an energetic current. Satanism is not devil worship in the common use of the term. If you were to ask Satanists who they worship, their first answer would be "myself". Yes, satanism is a selfish path, and for this reason it usually doesn't appeal to Pagans and follers of earth-based religions. Satanism is indulgent in life's experices, resenting the common view of sinfulness and people's subservience to dogmatic structure. Satanists practice their own forms of magick and ritual, which are most often used for personal gain.

While Anton Szandor LaVey, High Priest of the Church of Satan, made associations between witchcraft and satanism, the truth is that two are entirely seperate entities. Nevertheless, some satanists refer to themselves as witches, not because of an interest in the pagan path but because of the use of the word witch as a reference to an outsider of society.

Satanists do not condone animal or human sacrifice, but actually speak against it. They see this as unjust and therefore not something to be incorporated into their practices. They believe in kindness when someone is deserving of it, but also believe in vengeance if wronged. Satanism is not evil, but is very much uninhibited. It emphasizes personal gratification, through many practitioners take this too far and let this ego recognition becaome delusions of grandeur. The path recognizes nine sins that practitioners must not commit: stupidity, pretentiousness, solipsism, self deceit, herd pride, and lack of aesthetics. Because of the noted sin "stupidity", satanists tend to be well read, stern and opinionated.

-Goth Craft by Raven Digitalis

Alot of us Satanist's or at least the ones i have met practice witchcraft as a way of empowerment or to manifest their will. Some of us will say that Satan or Ahriman (unsure on its spelling) is the ultimate goal that we work towards becoming "Satan" as we our selves are ever evoulving gods.

Well thats my contribution nothing in comparison to linxxus post but it is something to add.

I think this has cleared up any misconceptions i had about satanism and probably did the same for others.